Previous studies have implicated acetylases and deacetylases in regulating the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB. Here, we show that inhibitors of deacetylases such as trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium ... [more ▼]

Previous studies have implicated acetylases and deacetylases in regulating the transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB. Here, we show that inhibitors of deacetylases such as trichostatin A (TSA) and sodium butyrate (NaBut) potentiated TNF-induced expression of several natural NF-kappaB-driven promoters. This transcriptional synergism observed between TNF and TSA (or NaBut) required intact kappaB sites in all promoters tested and was biologically relevant as demonstrated by RNase protection on two instances of endogenous NF-kappaB-regulated gene transcription. Importantly, TSA prolonged both TNF-induced DNA-binding activity and the presence of NF-kappaKB in the nucleus. We showed that the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB was acetylated in vivo. However, this acetylation was weak, suggesting that other mechanisms could be implicated in the potentiated binding and transactivation activities of NF-kappaB after TNF plus TSA versus TNF treatment. Western blot and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy experiments revealed a delay in the cytoplasmic reappearance of the IkappaBalpha inhibitor that correlated temporally with the prolonged intranuclear binding and presence of NF-kappaB. This delay was due neither to a defect in IkappaBalpha mRNA production nor to a nuclear retention of IkappaBalpha but was rather due to a persistent proteasome-mediated degradation of IkappaBalpha. A prolongation of IkappaB kinase activity could explain, at least partially, the delayed IkappaBalpha cytoplasmic reappearance observed in presence of TNF plus TSA. [less ▲]

It has previously been reported that distinct signaling pathways can lead to nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation following stimulation of different cell types with inflammatory cytokines. As the role of ... [more ▼]

It has previously been reported that distinct signaling pathways can lead to nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation following stimulation of different cell types with inflammatory cytokines. As the role of atypical protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in NF-kappaB activation remains a matter of controversy, we investigated whether this role might be cell type-dependent. Immunoblots detected atypical PKC expression in all the analyzed cell lines. The PKC inhibitor calphostin C inhibited NF-kappaB activation by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or interleukin (IL)-1beta in Jurkat or NIH3T3 cells but not in MCF7 A/Z cells. Cell transfections with a PKC lambda/iota dominant negative mutant abolished TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB-dependent transcription in NIH3T3 and Jurkat cells but not in MCF7 A/Z cells. Similarly, the same mutant blocked NF-kappaB-dependent transactivation after IL-1beta stimulation of NIH3T3 cells, but was ineffective after IL-1beta treatment of MCF7 A/Z cells. In MCF7 A/Z cells, however, the PKC lambda/iota dominant negative mutant could abolish transactivation of an AP-1-dependent reporter plasmid after stimulation with TNF-alpha but not with IL-1beta. These data thus confirm that transduction pathways for NF-kappaB activation after cell stimulation with TNF-alpha or IL-1beta are cell-type specific and that atypical PKC isoforms participate in this pathway in NIH3T3 and Jurkat cells. [less ▲]

We previously reported that the role of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) in NF-kappaB activation by proinflammatory cytokines was cell specific. However, the sources for ROIs in various cell types are ... [more ▼]

We previously reported that the role of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) in NF-kappaB activation by proinflammatory cytokines was cell specific. However, the sources for ROIs in various cell types are yet to be determined and might include 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and NADPH oxidase. 5-LOX and 5-LOX activating protein (FLAP) are coexpressed in lymphoid cells but not in monocytic or epithelial cells. Stimulation of lymphoid cells with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) led to ROI production and NF-kappaB activation, which could both be blocked by antioxidants or FLAP inhibitors, confirming that 5-LOX was the source of ROIs and was required for NF-kappaB activation in these cells. IL-1beta stimulation of epithelial cells did not generate any ROIs and NF-kappaB induction was not influenced by 5-LOX inhibitors. However, reintroduction of a functional 5-LOX system in these cells allowed ROI production and 5-LOX-dependent NF-kappaB activation. In monocytic cells, IL-1beta treatment led to a production of ROIs which is independent of the 5-LOX enzyme but requires the NADPH oxidase activity. This pathway involves the Rac1 and Cdc42 GTPases, two enzymes which are not required for NF-kappaB activation by IL-1beta in epithelial cells. In conclusion, three different cell-specific pathways lead to NF-kappaB activation by IL-1beta: a pathway dependent on ROI production by 5-LOX in lymphoid cells, an ROI- and 5-LOX-independent pathway in epithelial cells, and a pathway requiring ROI production by NADPH oxidase in monocytic cells. [less ▲]